Mitsubishi Electric, Mitsubishi Motors debut solar-powered vehicle charging station
Mitsubishi Electric & Electronics USA and Mitsubishi Motors North America (MMNA) have debuted a solar-powered charging station for electric vehicles at the MMNA headquarters in Cypress, California.
This charging facility, the first of its kind in Cypress, symbolizes MMNA's commitment to electric vehicle readiness, and will help kick off the preparations as certified Mitsubishi dealers become EV-ready in anticipation of the scheduled launch date of Mitsubishi i electric car for each state.
The charging station, powered by 96, 175-W photovoltaic modules from Mitsubishi Electric, will help support CHAdeMO compatible electric vehicles such as the Mitsubishi i, which will arrive in showrooms in November of this year.
Able to charge up to four vehicles at once, the station features three types of chargers with different voltages: standard level 1 voltage (110 v) will deliver a 100 percent charge in 22 hours on the new Mitsubishi i; level 2 (220 v) which can charge the vehicle in six hours; and level 3 CHAdeMO Quick Charger, which can charge to 80 percent battery capacity in 25 minutes.
The DC Quick Charger used for the Cypress charging station is manufactured by Eaton Corporation, and is the first-of-its-kind CHAdeMO Quick Charger certified for U.S. sale and public utility.
The charging station is the first such collaboration between the two similarly named companies, whose headquarters are just a few blocks apart in northern Orange County. Situated near the junction of the 405 and 605 freeways, the hope is that the Cypress charging station, with its Quick Charge capability, can serve as a gateway charging pad for Mitsubishi i users commuting between Los Angeles and Orange counties.
"This project will build awareness of solar power's versatility and efficiency," said Katsuya Takamiya, president and chief executive officer, Mitsubishi Electric & Electronics USA. "As electric vehicles' popularity grows, we expect to see more charging stations at large employers, automobile dealerships, shopping centers and schools, where cars can charge while people work, shop or study."
Mitsubishi Motors North America President Yoichi Yokozawa said: "We hope that our dealers, learning institutions, and municipalities will look to this technology with a keen eye towards the future, and bear in mind that the gradual acceptance of the pure-EV transportation will be aided by increasing the number of facilities like this one."
Mitsubishi Electric's solar panels are made with 100 percent lead-free solder, and have one of the higher sunlight-to-energy conversion ratios in the industry, adding to the project's efficiency and sustainability.
Mitsubishi Electric is one of the world's largest manufacturers and providers of solar power technology.
Mitsubishi Motors North America is responsible for all manufacturing, finance, sales, marketing, research and development operations for Mitsubishi Motors in the United States.